Improvement in barrel-taps



E. J. RUBOTTOM. Barrel-Tap.

No. 213,839. Patented April 1, I879.

Witnesses I enbor N-FETERS, PHOTO--LI'I'NDQRAFNERI WASHINGTON. D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

EMPHREY J. RUBOTTOM, OF SPADRA, CALIFORNIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN BARREL-TAPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 213,839, dated April 1, 1879 application filed September 23, 1878.

To-all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMPHREY J. BuBorroM, of Spadra, county of Los Angeles, and State of California, have invented an Improved Barrel-Tap; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to an improved tap for barrels; and the improvements consist in inserting in the head of the barrel or keg a hollow plug provided with a valve at its inner end, which valve may be opened or closed by means of a thumb-screw on the outside of the head. This tap is intended mainly for use in beer barrels or kegs, so that when the faucet or spigot is driven into the hollow plug on the outside, and the valve in the plug is closed, 110 beer can escape. After the faucet is in place the valve may be opened by turning the thumb-screw, and the liquid may be drawn from the faucet at pleasure.

The accompanying drawing is a view of my invention.

A represents the head of a barrel, through which is inserted the hollow plug or tube B, and which may be made flush with the outside of the barrel-head, if desired. This plug or tube may be bushed with rubber or leather, if desired, so that the faucet or spigot 0 may be inserted tightly and firmly, and not allow any of the liquid to pass by its side. In the upper part of the barrel-head, above the plug or tube B, is another smaller plug or tube, D, through which passes a thumb-screw, E, its inner end projecting through into the inside of the barrel, as shown, for the purpose hereinafter described.

' On the lower plug or tube, B, on the inside of the barrel, is formed or attached a lug, F, projecting inward, and having a recess or slot cut in it, into which the lever or bar G is set, and held in place by the pivot-pin H. 0n the lower end of the bar or lever G is pivoted the valve I, so set as to close the inner opening of the plug or tube B. The screw E passes through the upper end of the bar or lever G, the hole in said bar being somewhat enlarged, so as to admit of the screw being moved inward and outward. Washers or plates J on the screw E serve to hold the bar in place on said screw, so that as the thumb-screw on the outside is turned in either direction it moves the bar or lever G, and thus pushes the valve against or moves it from the opening in the plug or tube B.

This device may be used in kegs or barrels containing anyliquids, but is more particularly intended for use on beer kegs or barrels. In these considerable leakage frequently occurs when the faucet is driven in, and the methods of inserting the faucet at present in vogue are otherwise objectionable.

My device is intended to overcome these objections by having the tap always in the barrel and forming part of it. When the barrel is filled and is being moved about, the valve is closed over the inner end of the hollow plug, so that no liquid can escape, while at the same time there is no faucet to be in the way. When ready for use the faucet is inserted, when, by turning the thumb-screw and removing the valve from the inner end of the plug, the liquid may be drawn off through the faucet, as de' sired. By this means there is no inconvenience and no waste of liquid caused by the insertion of the faucet. The plug, with the valve and thumb-screw, is always in the keg or barrel ready for use. There is no necessity for hard pounding on the thehead of the barrel, nor can beer fly out in tapping.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The valve I, fitted to close the dischargepipe B from the interior, and having the lever G, by which it is opened and closed, in combination with the actuating screw or lever E, projecting through the head, and operating substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

2. The discharge pipe or tap B, with its valve I and operating mechanism, said tap having an elastic lining or bushing to receive and hold the faucet, substantially as herein described.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand.

EMPHREY JONES RUBOTTOM.

Witnesses:

J. I). GREENWADER, MAX Drnrnron. 

